In South Africa, court cancels hospital tender after nearly R28m paid — TimesLIVE
In Lichtenburg, South Africa, the North West High Court in Mahikeng found the appointment of MIB Infrastructure for the General De La Rey Hospital upgrade project unlawful. The court cancelled the tender and ordered the appointment of Bagale Consulting, TimesLIVE reports.
Payments without construction
In 2022, MIB Infrastructure received a contract to build a new 120-bed facility at the hospital. Four years after the company was appointed, construction work had not begun: during a visit to the site, the publication's journalists saw no signs of construction.
According to the publication's source in the health department, the company was paid approximately R28 million. The source claims that the overpayment amounted to R21 million, while the completed initial design work and services at the start of the project were valued at R6.9 million. The payments included construction supervision, although no construction took place.
MIB Infrastructure director Malesenyo Ramaoka said the money had been lawfully earned for professional services related to planning and designing the hospital upgrade. According to him, the scope of the project was substantially revised, causing the team to reassess and amend the initial planning and design proposals.
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Architect's complaint and situation at the hospital
Architect Tafadzwa Mtisi told the department that MIB Infrastructure had used his professional details to obtain the tender without his knowledge and consent. He also said that the certificate used in the application had expired at the time and filed a formal complaint with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession.
Ramaoka responded that the company had planned to involve Mtisi as an additional member of the professional team, but was unable to reach an agreement with him after receiving the contract. According to him, the architect was replaced by another qualified specialist.
North West health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgetwane said the department must establish the facts regarding Mtisi's claims and will consider the possible recovery of funds, taking into account contractual, factual and legal circumstances. Hospital director Gaborone Seleke said that the facility cannot admit patients and is forced to check bed availability at neighbouring hospitals.
